A Riverside man was arrested Thursday following a months-long investigation into the theft of a travel trailer and golf cart in Wildomar, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
On April 25, 2025, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to a theft report in the 34700 block of Oneal Road. Although deputies were unable to locate the suspect or the stolen property at the time, the case was taken over by the station’s Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team.
Investigators later identified the suspect as 52-year-old Shawn Bannister, a Riverside resident. The location of the stolen trailer and golf cart was also determined during the course of the investigation.
On July 24, with assistance from the Riverside Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau, Lake Elsinore Special Enforcement Team, and the Riverside County Auto Theft Task Force, authorities served a search warrant at a residence in the 16700 block of Wood Song Court in Riverside. Bannister and two other individuals were detained at the scene without incident.
Deputies recovered the stolen travel trailer and golf cart, as well as two additional stolen vehicles. They also found narcotics, a .22-caliber pistol, and several hundred rounds of ammunition during the search.
Bannister was taken to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station for questioning before being booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. He faces multiple felony charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, perjury, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, theft with priors, felony drug violations, and narcotic sales. The two other people detained at the scene were released after authorities determined they were not involved.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Deputy Noel at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245–3300.